| 20090105745 | Tissue Dilation Systems and Related Methods - A tissue dilation system is described which effectively provides an access path from a skin surface region to a target structure located in the body of a patient. The present tissue dilation system includes a tissue penetrating member and a sleeve. The tissue penetrating member includes an expandable body portion that can be inserted through the skin of a patient in a first configuration, and can be deployed into a fully expanded second configuration to dilate tissue surrounding the body portion. The sleeve is placed over the expanded body portion in the fully expanded second configuration. When the tissue penetrating member is removed from the sleeve, an access path is provided to the target structure from the skin region. When the present systems are used in combination with bone fixation devices, the present systems can provide a suitable path from the skin surface to a bony target structure, such as vertebrae, of the patient. Kits containing the present systems and methods of using such systems are also described. | 04-23-2009 |
